Microsoft is closing several studios, including Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks and Alpha Dog Games. It also connects Roundhouse Studios with ZeniMax Studios Online. Tango and Arkane confirmed the closure on social media, with the latter adding that it was pausing work on its live-action game Redfall. The company is also discontinuing its Mighty Doom Alpha Dog title. It is not yet clear how many employees might be affected by the studio’s closure.
According to Bloomberg, Xbox chief Matt Booty said in an email: “These changes are based on prioritizing high-impact titles and continuing to invest in Bethesda’s portfolio of hit games and beloved worlds that you have nurtured for many decades.” Other developers like Bethesda and Arkane Lyon remain open and working on titles in development. Booty added that the company will inform affected employees today, so layoffs seem inevitable.
Tango Gameworks recently released Hi-Fi Rush, along with The Evil Within 2 and Ghostwire Tokyo. Last yr, Arkane Austin released the critically panned game Redfall, although it is also the studio behind Prey and Dishonored 2. Arkane said in players is not going to receive the promised premium content.
Dinga Bakaba, studio director at Arkane Lyon, he said on X“This is absolutely terrible. Permission to be human: A friendly reminder to any executive reading this that video games are an entertainment/cultural industry and your job as a corporation is to take care of artists/artist representatives and help them create value for you… Lyon is safe , but please be tactful and discerning in this matter, respect the voices of those affected and leave room for them to be heard, it is their story to tell and their feelings to express.”